Offshore Energies Magazine - Winter 2022/23

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delegates interested in how the land lay a few weeks before the 33rd licensing round ( see below ). Audience sentiment favoured responsible exploration to maintain production. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the geopolitical landscape has undergone a fundamental shift from one of economic co-operation to one of rivalry. This implies a drive towards greater self-reliance and less import dependency. Closing the conference there was therefore strong support for UK exploration and its potential to assist the energy transition. We are very grateful to the following organisations for sponsoring the event: CNOOC International, Schlumberger, Capricorn and PESGB. NSTA launches 33rd round UK energy security will be significantly boosted with the launch of the 33rd oil and gas licensing round, the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) said October 7. It offered 898 blocks and part-blocks and hopes to award over 100 licences. To encourage early production, the NSTA has identified four priority cluster areas in the gas-rich southern North Sea with known

This adds up to an overall reduction of 21.5% since 2018 and is therefore on target, it said, announcing its new report and database September 21. There were several contributing factors, including robust regulation; a reduction in offshore activity amid the Covid-19 pandemic; and the permanent shutdown of several platforms with high emissions. However, the large number of platform maintenance shutdowns, coinciding with pipeline outages, contributed to a substantial fall in production and associated emissions last year. NSTA said the sector is on track to meet interim emissions reduction targets – 10% by 2025 and 25% by 2027 – which were agreed in the North Sea Transition Deal. However, bold measures will be needed to hit the 2030 goal of halving emissions. Offshore electrification of platforms is an essential ingredient, it said Balancing E&P risks and rewards OEUK’s one-off exploration conference in London on September 1 drew some 70

hydrocarbons, close to infrastructure and the potential to be developed quickly. Applicants will be encouraged to bid for these areas, the NSTA said. The round is the latest element in the NSTA’s ongoing work with industry to ensure security of supply. Earlier this year leading operators were asked to supply details of their production and investment

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